Friday, April 15, 2016

Former Viper Povelofskie-Wranglers Win Cyclone Taylor Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Tyler Povelofskie helped the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) 100 Mile House Wranglers win the Cyclone Taylor Cup Sunday. Povelofskie and the Wranglers finished 3-1 defeated the host Victoria Cougars 5-4 in the final. Povelofskie picked up two assists, set up the winning goal by Ryan Friesen on a powerplay with 55 seconds left in regulation time, now advance to the Keystone Cup April 14-17 in Regina, Saskatchewan.Championship Game Boxscore,

Povelofskie in his first season with the Wranglers come out of retirement to join-sign with the Wranglers in September. In 32 games with the WranglersPovelofskie picked up (15-goals-16-assists-31-points). Povelofskie played last season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before announcing his retirement on June 18th 2015 to pursue a post-secondary opportunity. In 26 games with the Bulldogs last year Povelofskie picked up (6-goals-9-assists-15-points). Povelofskie played one season in Vernon (2013-14) was traded to Alberni Valley on May 22nd 2014. Povelofskie was the future considerations the Vipers owed the Bulldogs from a previous trade. On October 1st 2013 the Vipers sent Craig Martin & future considerations (Tyler Povelofskie) to Alberni Valley for Jared Wilson. In 53 games with the Vipers Povelofskie collected (2-goals-3-assists-5-points).

The Victoria Cougars’ head coach pictured memories of joy and excitement after Sunday’s final of the 2016 Cyclone Taylor Cup.

Instead he shared in an all too familiar scene of tears shed for the third time in five years, finishing as a runner-up in the provincial Junior B hockey championship.

This one came on a power-play goal by Ryan Friesen with just 54.3 seconds to go in a 5-4 loss to the 100 Mile House Wranglers at Archie Browning Sports Centre.

That it came in the home arena of the Cougars, after three wins over the three previous days of the round-robin tournament, was that much more difficult to take.

“It’s disappointing. At this point, we’re trying to digest everything,” said the beleaguered coach, who also lost the 2012 CTC final in double overtime to Abbotsford and 2013 championship, 4-1 to Richmond. “There was a funny conclusion to the game. It was an excellent game, very well played by both teams.”

And not funny, as in ha ha.

Having battled back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 lead, the Cougars gave up the tying goal at 14:02 as Brett Harris took advantage of a defensive giveaway. Victoria appeared to record the 5-4 goal late, but it was called off as Jordan Passmore was called for a hit to the head prior to the play.

That gave the Wranglers the late power play and they cashed.

“It’s the bounces of the game, we got the lead and settled in to hopefully shut down the last few minutes,” said Van Helvoirt. “It was a bit of a funny bounce, the defenceman lost the puck behind the play — a one in a million kind of situation — and the next thing you know it’s a tie game.

“Then we score a goal, get a penalty and disallowed goal and a wild finish. Unfortunately, it’s a tough result — a great hockey game, but tough result for our organization,” he added.

The Wranglers, meanwhile, celebrated on the ice, led by goalie Zane Steeves, who was named tournament MVP. It was Friesen who played hero, though, taking a pass from Harris and beating helpless Cougars’ goalie Gregory Maggio for the winner.

“It’s one I will never forget,” Friesen said of the finish. “I was thinking we only had one chance to get a goal before the end of the third period and we needed to take advantage of every opportunity.”

Harris had a pair of goals and two assists for the Wranglers, while Nick McCabe and Justin Bond had the other tallies. Steeves made 28 saves for 100 Mile House.

Dom Kolbeins (with his second of the game), Passmore and captain John Kretzschmar then secured the Cougars’ lead with goals at 1:33, 5:28 and 12:34 as momentum swung. Then the cruel finish shocked the local fans.

Wranglers head coach Dale Hladun, who has ties to the area, said his team just never gave up.

“We’ve always preached it, if it’s not the hard way, it’s not the Wrangler way. When they tied it up, that’s what I said. I told them, this is our wheel house, this is how we do it,” Hladun said. “They’ve been in this situation, you wouldn’t believe how many times.

“I couldn’t be a calmer coach than when we’re down by one with these guys,” added Hladun, who was an assistant with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League in 1996 and coached the Comox Valley Glacier Kings of the VIJHL as well.

“We’re only three years old. You see our fans here and our fans at home. The rink [at 100 Mile House] is full right now and they’re watching it on a big screen and in the pub.”

And they now move on to Regina for the Keystone Cup beginning Thursday.

“It’s a neat little melting pot and now I’m stuck with them for another three days and no one has clean underwear and we’re going all the way to Regina,” Hladun said, with a grin.

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.